Porsche Sprint Challenge Indonesia makes impressive debut as IGTC campaign concludes

Porsche’s latest One Make Series, which features six rounds across three weekends, all at the Lombok-located track, kicked off in style with both a Sprint and Endurance Race. Cars first hit the track for pre-season testing on Wednesday and Thursday, before the event officially began on Friday. The 4.313-kilometre circuit, which opened in 2021, is located on the picturesque south coast of the island and has already hosted Moto GP twice. Featuring sweeping turns and quick changes of direction, the state-of-the-art venue provides an enjoyable challenge for those who tackle it.

When racing got underway with the Sprint on Saturday, it was Rio Saputra Budiharjo who took the honours as the first race winner in the series history, claiming top spot for Rizqy Motorsport. In a captivating climax to the event, Jakarta Ban Motorsport’s Ahmad Fadillah Alam pressured the winner all the way to the line, finishing under half a second behind to clinch the runner-up spot, while Ahmad Aldio Oekon completed the podium for Citadel Racing Team.

Luckas Dwinada secured Pro-Am victory for Engine Plus Motorsport, with Ruffino taking the honours in the Am category.

The #45 Rizqy Motorsport car was again victorious in Sunday’s Endurance Race, this time in the hands of young driver Daffa Ardiansyah Budiharjo and Dikco Prasetyo Wahyu Utom. Oekon claimed his second podium finish of the weekend, while Hendrik Jaya Soewatdy and John Kwon secured third, along with the Am class win for Semen Merah Putih. Finally, Alam and Setia Laksana completed a strong event with Pro-Am victory.

Porsche Sprint Challenge Indonesia continues in the new year, with Rounds 3 and 4 taking place on 12-14 January, followed by Rounds 5 and 6 later that month.

In the Middle East, the 2023 Intercontinental GT Challenge (IGTC) season came to an end with the Gulf 12 Hours at Yas Marina Circuit. Hong Kong-based Antares Au helped the #33 Herberth Motorsport entry claim third on the grid as the leading Pro-Am car. Sharing the car with Porsche driver Matteo Cairoli and Tim Heinemann, the trio put in a solid showing on race day to claim fifth in class.

Australian squad Grove Racing completed their full IGTC campaign in Abu Dhabi with father-and-son Stephen and Brenton Grove teaming up alongside Richie Stanaway. Unfortunately, an incident brought their season to an early end in the race.

Alexandre Gibot, Managing Director Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific Ltd.: “I’m very happy to see the Porsche Sprint Challenge Indonesia make its debut this weekend. It was brilliant for our customers to finally take on the Mandalika International Circuit in their Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (992), and to see an incredibly close fight for victory in the first ever race of the championship. We are already looking forward to the next round in January and to see the battles recommence!

“Over in Abu Dhabi, we were very supportive of Antares Au and Grove Racing as they rounded off the 2023 Intercontinental GT Challenge campaign at Yas Marina Circuit. Antares and his team performed excellently to complete a solid season for him, while it was a shame to see Grove end their campaign early after an incident.”

Bagoes Hermanto, CEO Superstars Motorsport: “We are very pleased with the inaugural Porsche Sprint Challenge Indonesia race weekend. It is like a dream come true, seeing Porsche Cup cars racing for the first time in Indonesia, at the Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit. The drivers competing with the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup have shown their skills and discipline throughout the weekend.

Overall, it has been a strong performance by all drivers on the grid and we look forward to the next round of Porsche Sprint Challenge Indonesia. We are happy to have concluded the first Porsche Sprint Challenge Indonesia race weekend of the debut season and look forward to welcoming the drivers and fans at the next rounds, scheduled for 12-14 January and 26-28 January 2024 at Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit.”